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OUTLOOK.EXE continues running after you exit Outlook
Problem: After closing Outlook, it continues to run. You need open the Task Manager and End Process.

Outlook can't close properly if another application is accessing Outlook's message store.

Symptoms which indicate that Outlook is not closing properly include receiving an alert telling you that Outlook is checking the data file when you open it. If you use two Outlook profiles, when you switch profiles you aren't presented the screen to select the profile and Outlook opens directly to the first profile.

Below is a list of software known to cause problems in all versions of Outlook. This list is intended to give you an idea of what types of programs will cause Outlook to remain running, most often Fax software, anti-spam or anti-virus software, or PDA sync software. However, the culprit on your computer may be a different program.

See Disable Add-in or uninstall the software.

Add-ins | How to Disable Add-ins | Other Causes | Developer Information | Tools | More Information

Antivirus programs that support scanning email for viruses will tend to keep Outlook open. Disable email scanning and Outlook should close correctly. It's perfectly safe to disable this setting - it gives you advanced warning of viruses but as long as you can control your urge to open every attachment you receive, you'll be just as safe with it disabled. The antivirus programs that can affect Outlook include, but are not limited to, the following programs:

  • Kaspersky Antivirus Pro version 5
  • Panda AntiVirus Outlook Plug-In (pavexcli.dll)
  • Norton Antivirus with e-mail scanning and script blocking enabled.
    •

    Once you identify the program that is causing Outlook to remain loaded, check their support site for updates and additional information, or disable or uninstall the add-in.

    Many spyware and adware programs hook into Outlook and other email clients. Removing them will usually correct the problem and allow Outlook to close properly.

    Add-ins which may keep Outlook open

    The following is a short list of add-ins which are reported to keep Outlook running after it's closed.

  • WinFax Pro. Disable WinFax or remove the WinFax Fax log from the profile. Remove them by opening Tools, Options, Mail Setup tab, Data Files and delete if present.
  • ActiveSync (especially when a PDA is cradled)
  • Blackberry software
  • Stamps.com (when using address from Outlook's Contacts)
  • Outlook Express (when sharing Contacts with the Windows Address Book (WAB)
  • Franklin Covey Plan Plus
  • Mapilab's Messenger Journal utility
  • Earthlink's Spamblocker (the installation file is ELSBSetup.exe)
  • Outlook Attachment Sniffer
  • TechSmith's SnagIt 7 with Outlook integration enabled.
  • Cloudmark Spamnet
  • OneNote 2003 (with Outlook 2000)
  • Fourelle Venturi Client
  • Internet Download Manager - uninstall
  • iProtectYou
  • TMAntispam - the antispam part of Trend Micro's PCCillin Internet Security 2005 suite
  • Infuzer
  • FSecure 2005 antispam add-in
  • Prophet 2004 (by Avidian) - check for updates
  • Intuit Quickbooks
  • iTunes calendar sync add-in
  • iPhone Add-in
  • ABBYY FineReader 9.0
  • WMPNETWK or sharing files within MS media player 11 
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    Disable Add-ins

    Before uninstalling or disabling add-ins, check for an updated version. It may fix the problem.

    In Outlook 2003 and earlier, add-ins are found on the Tools, Options, Other tab.

    1. Click the Advanced Options button.
    2. Click COM Add-ins button and uncheck add-ins to disable.
    3. While most add-ins are listed under COM add-ins, some may be in Add-in manager.
    4. Return to Outlook.

    In Outlook 2007, you need to go to Tools, Trust Center, Add-ins.

    1. Select COM Add-ins from the dropdown at the bottom of the dialog
    2. Press Go. 
    3. Uncheck the add-ins you suspect might be keeping Outlook open
    4. Close the dialog.

    Most add-ins will be listed in COM Add-ins, but a few may be listed under Exchange Client Extensions, which on the dropdown with COM Add-ins.

    Other Causes

    ♦ Setting Outlook's "Empty deleted items when closing" option can also cause it. Disable it on the Tools, Options, Other tab.

    ♦ In sites where both Outlook 2000 and 2003 are in use, Outlook 2000 may not close properly due to conflicts between Outlook 2000 and 2003. This occurs when Outlook 2000 is used to open your mailbox after accessing it using Outlook 2003 or if another user viewed your shared Calendar with Outlook 2003. You can try opening Outlook 2000 using the /cleanfreebusy switch, but if that fails to correct the problem, you'll need to call Microsoft for the hotfix in Outlook 2000 Post-Service Pack 3 Hotfix Package: January 13, 2004.

    ♦ In addition, a corrupt *.SRS (send and receive profile file) appears to keep Outlook 2003 open. Find and rename the SRS for the profile. It's a hidden file found at C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. Use Windows Search to find the files (enable the advanced options to search all hidden files and folders) or paste this line into the Windows Explorer Address bar:

    %USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

    To learn more about the files contained in this directory, see Outlook & Exchange/Windows Messaging Backup and Dual-Boot.

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    Tools
    Close Outlook   Close Outlook is a small utility that closes Outlook so you can back up the PST file. Just use the Windows Task Scheduler to run it before your automated backup starts. Free.
    KnockOut   Free system tray application to monitor the state of Outlook (and Word) on your machine. Shows you when Outlook is running, even if you can't see any Outlook windows. Allows you to shut down Outlook or Word. Can turn off the "new mail" envelope icon. Very useful for developers.
    Outlook Shutdown Addin   Outlook Shutdown Addin is a COM add-in which enables Outlook to shutdown completely when a user exits from the application, eliminating the need to open Task Manager to end OUTLOOK.EXE.
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    Developer Information

    		 If you are a developer and your add-in is causing Outlook to remain open, get ItemsCB from the Resources page at www.microeye.com and use it to release all the Outlook objects and handle all errors.

    If you need additional assistance, visit the forums at OutlookCode.com or the Outlook programming newsgroups at news://msnews.microsoft.com. If you are unable to use a newsreader (such as Outlook Express) to access the newsgroups, you can use the web-based interface to the newsgroups.
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    More Information

    Mail Issues with Microsoft Outlook

    The Outlook window closes, but the application continues to run when you try to exit Outlook MSKB
    This page is printer friendly
    Updated Dec 14 2009
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